Marshall hopes players learn from Rockett incident

A somber first-year UTSA baseball coach Jason Marshall on Wednesday sorted out his feelings on the allegations against star center fielder Daniel Rockett, who has been accused of assaulting a UTSA track athlete.

As his team concluded a practice session at Roadrunner Field, Marshall made it clear that the leading hitter in the Western Athletic Conference would not be able to practice or play until a university review of the allegations runs its course.

Asked what he has told his players about dealing with the publicity surrounding the incident, Marshall paused to collect his thoughts. He said he hopes the players “don’t rush to judgment” on Rockett.

“Let the process play itself out,” Marshall said. “You know, let him defend himself and tell his story.”

At the same time, Marshall said the Roadrunners are moving foward without their batting star.

He said it’s important that players understand that their behavior off the field can have negative consequences.

Not only is Rockett’s college career on the line, he’s also facing a second-degree felony charge in the glare of the public spotlight.

“Playing at UTSA, you know, is a gift,” Marshall said. “And you need to value that gift.

“Understand that people are watching and do care about how you act. How we go about, not just playing the game, but how we conduct our lives. That’s an important lesson for everyone on the team.”

Clearly, it’s a tough situation for all the players, who started off 5-0 and have forged a 9-4 record on the season to date.

“It’s definitely not what you want at any point in your season,” Marshall said. “You know, this group has bought into the goals and the enthusiasm of how we feel we need to play.

“I think the guys that are out here are doing their best to live out that initiative.”

Ejected from a game last weekend at Wolff Stadium, Rockett received a one-game suspension from the WAC. The alleged assault reportedly happened early Monday, leading to his arrest Monday night.

On Tuesday night, UTSA played at Texas State and lost 6-0. Rockett didn’t attend the game, while serving the WAC suspension, Marshall said.

Without their .553 hitter, the Roadrunners were shut out for the first time this season against Texas State. Now a four-game home series with Washington State looms this weekend.

How long the review will take, Marshall doesn’t know.

“It’s gone beyond my desk, and certainly it climbs the ladder of authority and really hasn’t come back to my desk,” he said. “So, until it does, I’ll really just let the athletic department deal with the situation. I would think it would be resolved very soon.”

According to Rockett’s arrest warrant affidavit, three other baseball players were with him when he burst into an apartment in the 14300 block of Babcock Road and began punching the track athlete.

Marshall said those three players are still with the team pending the university review of the facts. Rockett was the only one charged.